Leaders of the Jewish community in Melbourne have condemned two separate incidents targeting a synagogue and an Israeli restaurant, calling them a “severe escalation” against their community.
An unidentified man poured flammable liquid on the front door of a synagogue on Albert Street, East Melbourne, during a Shabbat dinner with 20 attendees inside. The fire was quickly extinguished, and no injuries were reported.
Victoria Police said the attack is being taken seriously but has not yet been classified as a terrorist act. CCTV footage of a suspect, described as a Caucasian man in his mid-30s with long hair and a beard, has been released.
In a separate incident, 20 protesters stormed the Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne’s CBD, chanting anti-IDF slogans and damaging property, including throwing food and chairs. One person was arrested and later released.
A third incident occurred early the next morning, when three cars were set alight and a business in Greensborough was vandalized. Police are investigating whether this was also motivated by anti-Semitism, given the business had previously been the site of pro-Palestinian protests.
Victoria Police are liaising with counter-terrorism authorities to assess any potential links between the three attacks, though no connections have been confirmed.
Jewish community leaders and Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as cowardly, anti-Semitic, and deeply disturbing. Reece stated, “This is racism—this is anti-Semitic racism,” and pledged that justice would be served.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the motives behind the incidents.
